Sugar Ray Leonard Quotes

When I was a child, my father taught me to put up my fists like a boy and to be prepared to defend myself at all times.

I never got into training to be an All-Ireland boxing champ or to win a belt. At the start, I just got into it to learn how to defend myself when I got into situations.

I've got a tidy chin and a decent punch. And, for people who think they can fight and are champions, I'll make it extremely hard.

I didn't know how to throw a punch - why would I? Who knows how to throw a punch? Now I do it all the time, and it makes me feel strong.

When I was in seventh grade, I was a scrawny boy with no muscles, so I went out for wrestling. My intention was to develop secret wrestling skills so that if I were jumped by a bully, I'd shout, 'Ha!' and he'd be on the ground in a headlock.

I did a lot of tae kwon do and branched off into other stuff later on, but tae kwon do is great. It was my equalizer. That was how I was able to survive in the land of the giants. Thank God for that.

For The Chicago Code, I did some boxing. It makes you stand differently when you know you can punch someone out.

You have to be super focused when you're boxing. After I've done a few rounds, I feel as if I can conquer the world.

I told my mom the reason I started working out was because I wanted to break the necks of the people picking on me. I wanted to hurt them. I said I didn't want any teacher to put me down any more.

I knew boxing before I knew anything else.

When I get finished with fighting, I hope they ask the same questions. It's not my purpose to answer them. Boxing is the art of self-defense. I knock 'em out the first chance I get.

It's a punishment game... only two boxers get in the ring. So when we get in the ring and we're not angry, then you're not a real boxer.

I believe in my power and boxing skills.

I remember I did a boxing class. I remember sparring one time, and the guy smacked me right in the nose, and I was just like, 'What is this? No. No. None of that.

I just love boxing. Train to get there and to just fight somebody.

On a personal level, I probably wouldn't want my boys to box professionally. But I do encourage them to get into boxing training - they both go along. It keeps them fit.

People can't stand the fact that, yes, we were models, but now we can kick anyone's butt in the ring.

I faced a certain amount of violence. It taught me that I had to learn to protect myself - and it made me stronger. It could have made me step backwards with my self-discovery. Instead, it pushed me further.

I had to learn martial arts.

I always had that desire of being strong and being able to protect myself, being able to protect others.

I don't want people to kick my ass, I just want to get to a point where they can't kick it.

I did not enjoy the violence of boxing so much as the science of it. I was intrigued by how one moved one's body to protect oneself, how one used a strategy both to attack and retreat, how one paced oneself over a match.

Don't forget I'm from a military family. I was in special training in the army. I am tall, sporty and - how do you say - you can always protect yourself... I have very strong security.

I did martial arts and karate for eight years when I was growing up.

As a West Side kid fooling around with boxing gloves, I had been, for some reason of temperament, more interested in dodging a blow than in striking one.